Freshwater Monitoring Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Permanent – 2 Positions – *12793-24

Working Title– Freshwater Monitoring Technician
Classification– Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
Number of Vacancies– Two (2) positions
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station– La Conner, Washington – Skagit County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Embrace this role to collect catch and angler effort information for salmon, steelhead, and other fish species via interviews and drive-around effort counts in the Samish, Skagit, and Nooksack River basins.

This is an opportunity to participate in sampling and field studies that collect biological data in support of fisheries management.

We are seeking candidates to work independently and as team members with duties that include biological sampling of fish, collection of field data, and interviewing anglers to assess catch rates of salmon and steelhead.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Creel sampling.

• Performs surveys to assess angling effort, counting anglers, vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft.
• Records data into iPad application and on scale card paper form.
• Samples all Chinook and coho salmon with electronic CWT detection devices.
• Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked (adipose fin-clipped) and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
• Uses a knife to remove snouts from Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs, which are used to assess stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Samples salmon catch to obtain stock composition (DNA taken with scissors), age structure (scales taken with forceps), fish length (length taken by measuring device), and hatchery and natural-origin proportions (mark-status).
• Contact anglers to conduct creel interviews, traveling by foot to contact bank anglers at river access points and monitoring boat ramps for groups of returning boat anglers.
• During interviews ask predetermined questions about an angler’s fishing experience (e.g., trip length, target species, and catch and/or harvest).
• ID salmonids to species and sex.
• Observe and record hatchery or research marks on the fish.

Data entry.

• Legibly record data from duty 1 above.
• Accurately enter data to electronic devices
• Review and tabulate data.
• Enter data to existing spreadsheets and databases in Excel, Access, or other apps.
• Proof data already entered to databases using the DFW Fish Apps online data portal.

Maintenance.

• Operate and maintain all equipment including sampling equipment, waders or other wearable gear if provided, and vehicles.
• Vehicle maintenance includes periodically checking oil level and monitoring fuel and level of washer fluid.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is primarily conducted in the field. Adverse weather and environmental conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, and walking through vegetation and in uneven terrain in and near streams and rivers to obtain angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, 8- to 10-hours per day between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM.  All days during the week, including weekends and holidays with overtime required as assigned.  Work variable days with shifts up to 12 hours, including early morning and late-night hours. 

Travel requirements: North Puget Sound area. No overnight travel requirements but long drives may be assigned to collect equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Or

Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Please note:  College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Experience sampling adult salmonids for marks and tags, including scanning fish for coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.
• Experience using personal computers or mobile devices for data entry and writing to produce accurate and timely work products.
• Working knowledge of Excel and Word.
• Ability to identify saltwater and river stage adult salmonids to species.
• Ability to identify sex of adult salmonids.
• Experience conducting creel surveys.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

 Union – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

 Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-12793.

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